A picture of a Milwaukee teenager is spreading online, and Milwaukee police are coming to the defense of several officers involved in his violent arrest late last month.

It started with a traffic stop at 35th and Townsend streets.

Officers stopped there for a suspicious vehicle that they checked out and were moving on when they spotted another car with suspended plates. When they asked the driver to explain, they said he stuffed something in his mouth which they believed to be drugs.

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Surveillance video from a gas station Jan. 26 doesn't shed much light on the incident that followed as the suspect, 19-year-old Jordan Cain, fought with police.

Police said he appeared to put a baggie in his mouth, and they took him to the ground and used pepper spray in his face as he resisted.

In a charged environment following the in custody death of Derek Williams, and the beating of Janine Tracy in a squad car, police were apparently compelled to defend their officers in this case.

"We're here today to correct the misinformation that's being disseminated and want to provide the public with the facts as we know it today," Milwaukee police Inspector Edith Hudson said.

Police are responding to Occupy Milwaukee, which posted pictures of Cain's face online following his arrest, calling him a victim of harassment.

But police said Cain continued to resist while face-down on the ground, kicking at the officers even while his hands were cuffed. Police said there were two supervisors at the scene, and they believed Cain had eaten narcotics to hide them from police.

"Over the last 10 years, there have been five individuals who died in police custody due to drug overdoses. We take those situations very seriously, and due to the concern for Mr. Cain's safety, that's why we decentralized him took him to the ground and attempted to get him to spit out the things that were in his mouth," Hudson said.

Police said they didn't recover drugs but took Cain to the hospital twice.

According to the criminal complaint, the first time was after Cain said he had eaten marijuana. They returned to the hospital later when Cain said he had actually eaten cocaine. The drug test results have not been returned.

Cain has been charged with obstructing an officer and bail jumping. It's the fourth adult arrest for the 19-year-old. His family wouldn't speak with WISN 12 News or return calls.

Police tell 12 News the three officers who made the arrest have 20, 21 and 22 years on the job with Milwaukee police.